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From the baby’s breath lining the aisle to a Bride with a penchant for pretty hair things (the proof is in her Etsy shop), this vineyard wedding is a lovely representation of California nuptials done RIGHT. Blooms by Martha Andrews infused the day with an abundance of pretty petals and a bridal bouquet that stopped us dead in our tracks. I don’t know if it’s the pop of the anemone or the eclectic mix of florals but that baby is goooood. And Micah and Megan Photography followed up all the gorgeousness with an array of fabulous images perfect for perusing. If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating Columbus Day at home, you can check out the full gallery from the comfort of your sofa. Lucky ducks.

From the bride… Marc and I almost never met, if not for my best friend Kristina. Always the matchmaker, she ran back in to a birthday party as we were leaving to give Marc my number. 3 years later, we are happily married not once but twice! We knew we had to have a reception at home in Hawaii, but I always wanted a small, intimate wedding. We realized early on that it had to be a destination wedding to accomplish this. After getting engaged atop a snowy mountain peak in Whistler in April 2010, we stopped by Napa and Sonoma for a quick getaway. There we fell head over heels in love with Viansa – a Tuscan style winery with a view to kill. Most of my family lives in the Bay Area, making Sonoma the perfect choice. We live in Hawaii and had to plan from afar, but planning long distance was made much easier by the endless resources and inspirations found on wedding blogs such at SMP. One word to describe our wedding day – magical. You don’t have to spend a down payment on a house to achieve the wedding of your dreams. Our fete for 50 was an intimate, emotional event we will never forget. I fully intended to buy a pre-owned wedding dress, but after 3 failed attempts, I finally found The One just 2 months before the big day! It was fate – I would have missed out on the White by Vera Wang collection released Feb 2011 had any of the 3 dresses worked out. I didn’t picture myself in a strapless gown with a big skirt, but I never felt more beautiful.

Incorporating handmade elements was important to me, not just for sentimental value but budgetary reasons. I never considered myself an artsy crafty person (I can barely wrap a present), but after getting engaged, I was inspired to make my own hair accessories. One veil and hair flower turned into 20, and Live Adorned on Etsy was born. Who knew getting engaged would unearth a hidden passion for hair accessories? For me, marriage marked the genesis of many new beginnings. I ended up making not only my hair accessories, but my MOH’s hair fascinator and my flower girl’s sash and hair flower as well. Other DIY elements: favors made with brown Kraft bags, doilies, mini clothespins each stamped“Thank you” in Chinese. Programs, table numbers, and cake signs made using a free online template that I printed and cut with craft scissors. Mustache and alien photobooth props using felt, hot glue and skewers. Best money saver – a free photobooth automator application that served as my photobooth on my Mac! Etsy was my go-to place for many of my wedding goodies: creamy ivory vintage suitcase with an interior the perfect shade of peach, mini bunting “Cards” burlap sign in the suitcase, romantic invitation suite, and the most fabulous chandelier earrings.